Textile cleaning apparatus



A ril 2, 1935. F. E. SNOWDEN TEXTILE CLEANING APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Dec. 28, 1927 fair/(Jimmy I I V Wu 9! A ril 2, 1935.

F. E. SNOWDEN TEXTILE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1927 3Sheets-Sheet 2 m Z4 f @r A ril 2, 1935. F. E. SNOWDEN 1,996,084

TEXTILE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedApr. 2, 1935 .UNITED" STATES CLEANING APPARATUS Frederick E. Snowden,

.Los Angeles, Calif assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, toSunbrite Corporation, Ltd.

Application December 28, 1927, Serial No. 243,002

15 Claims.

My invention is in a textile cleaning apparatus and in the method ofcleaning and handling the cleansing fluids.

An object of my invention is a textile cleaning 5 apparatus and methodof handling the cleansing fluid by which the same fluid may be utilizedover and over again in cycles, in which the dirty fluid is strained,then evaporated and condensed and then is in a condition for re-using.With .0 this main object, I have a certain refinement,

such as if the condensed fluid is not clean enough for re-using, it ispassed into a tank for fluid to be re-cleansed and then when convenientmay be put through the filter and again distilled.

A general object of my invention is a cleaning machine and method inwhich the operation is carried on without the use of pumps or othermoving parts, except the operation of the various valves and the rotarydrum in the cleaning machine.

Another object of my invention is in a textile cleaning apparatus andmethod, in which air is forcibly blown through the textiles, such asgarments, before cleaning, this acting to blow dust and the like out ofthe garments and dry any water which may be in the materials to betreated. After this, the materials are subjected to a cleaning action bya cleansing fluid and subsequently thereto the materials being, handled0 are again subjected to an air blast under pressure, this beingpreferably heated, and functioning to carry off the vapors of thecleaning fluid, thereby drying the fabric or garments, and at the sametime deodorizing the same. a

A further object of my invention is in utilizing a filter immediately tocleanse fluid which has been utilized in cleansing a batch of textilematerial, and in order to ,dry this material a blast of'air is blownthrough the cleaning machine and the vapors taken up by the air arecondensed and flow into storage tanks.

Another object of my invention is in mounting a series of tanks and thepiping connected therewith in a construction which will occupy acomparatively small amount of floor space and with a short system ofpiping from the tanks to the cleaner, and entirely eliminates the use ofpumps or moving parts.

A further object of my invention is to blowair through the cleaningmachine and through the articles being cleansed before they aresubjected tothe cleansing fluid, this being to blow the dust out of thearticles, and after the cleaning operation, air preferably heated isblown 5 through the articles, carrying away the moisture retained insuch, articles, this moisture being condensed.

Another detail object of my invention is in passing the cleansing fluidthrough a screening or filtering trap to collect articles loosened from6 the garments being treated, such 'as buttons, matches, coins, etc.

Another object of my invention is to cleanse textile fabrics by anon-inflammable fluid such as carbon tetrachloride, and in connectionwith the installation utilizing a hose with a suitable reel so that asupply of fire extinguisher is always ready at hand in case of fire inthe cleaning establishment.

In constructing my invention as to the apparatus, I build a suitableframe-work or tower structure and on the top of this 'I have acondensing tank with piping coils immersed in water. One

set of these piping coils is connected with an evaporator, heated in anysuitable manner, this evaporator distilling the previously used fluid.Below the condensing tank there'is a first storage tank in which thecondensed fluids from the first set of condensing pipes run. Thisstorage tank is then connected to a main supply tank immediatelytherebelow, and by another connection leads to a still lower tank fordirty condensate. At the bottom of the tower there is a screen orseparator trap for cleaning the fluid which has been subjected to thecleaning operation.

Situated to one side of the tower there is a. cleaning machinepreferably having a rotary drum in the interior thereof, in which thearticles are placed, and this machine is supplied from the main supplytank. A drain leads from the cleaner to the screening and filter trapand a connection is made from the screening trap to the evaporator.

In connection with the cleaning machine I utilize an air blower which isfirst used to blow air through the articles to be cleaned while theseare dry, before the entrance of the cleaning fluid, this being to blowdust out of garments "and\ the like. The air first blown through thedusty garments is blown out through a bubbling receptacle having water,and catches the dust, and other dirt. After the cleaning, a preferablyheated air blast is used which evaporates the residual cleaning fluid inthe garments. This air is then passed-through a condensing box in a themain condensing tank, and the cleaning fluid l apparatus.

V as

fluid tank are connected to condensing coils in humidifier 26; this hasa convenient mounting the main condensing tank so that any vapors forthis machine which may be constructedin which rise from these tanks willbe condensed. accordance with my patent application, Serial The pipingconnection has an exhaust to the air No. 200,055, filed June 20, 1927.

so that in the filling and emptying of the tanks The condenser box I4 isillustrated particularly atmosphere. in Figs 8, 9, and 10 and in this isshown a main Myinventioninits various aspects is illustrated coil ofpipes 30 connected to a header 3|, this in the accompanying drawings, inwhich: header being connected to a lead pipe 32 from Figure 1-is an endelevation of the cleaning the still. This coil has a discharge end 33connected up as hereunder set forth. In addition to Fig. 2 is a sideelevation. this coil there is a second or smaller coil 34 which Fig. 3is an endelevation taken in the direchas an inlead pipe 35 and a trap36. A third tion of the arrow 3 of Fig. 1 or4 of the cleaning vcondensing coil 31 has an inlead pipe 38 and machine. a trap 39 (noteparticularly Figs. 9 and 12).

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the cleaning ma- Situated in the condenserbox l4 there is also chine taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of avapor trap box 40 which has an'air inlet pipe of Fig. 3 with certainparts broken away. 4| at the top. A series of baflle plates 42 are po-Fig; 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of sitioned in this airtrap forming zigzag pas- Fig. 6 in the direction of the arrows throughthe sages, and there is an air outlet 43 which leads screening trap. Iupwardly to a stack 44 having a cowl 45 there- Fig. 6 is an endelevation of the trap taken in on (note Figs. 1, 8 and 12). Acirculation of the direction of the arrow 6 of Fig. 5. water through thecondensing box is obtained Fig. '7 is a plan of the trap'taken in thedirecby the pipes 46 and 41 connected to any suitable tion of the arrows1 of Fig. 5 or 6. water supply, this condensing -box being main- Fig. 8is an end elevation of the condensing. tained substantially full ofwater, at the required tank taken in the direction of the arrow 8 ofFig. 9. temperature to condense the vapors from the Fig. 9 is ahorizontal section of the condensing still and the vapors entering thecoils 34 and 31, n taken on the line 0f s- 10 the and the vapors carriedby the vapor to the air direction of the arrows showing the cover retrapbox 40. 7 moved. The cleaning machine designated generally by 10 is aVertical section of he condens g the numeral I8 is constructedsubstantially as tank taken in the direction of the arrows IlI---l(lfollows, having reference particularly to Figs.

The details of the various parts are substan-- there may be a to and froflow of air, the air tially as follows: being indrawn and discharged tothe external of Fig. 8 in the directionof the arrows.

Fig. 11 is'a vertical section through the hose reel and showing theconnection of the hose to one of the tanks. Fig. 12 is a diagrammaticlay-out of my invention showing the various tanks, the coils and thepiping connection therebetween.

1, 3 and ,4:

This machine in its main characteristics is very much like standardcleaning machines having a shell or casing 50 with a rotary drum 5|therein, this drum being utilized for the articles to be cleaned andhaving a series of perforations; bailies, etc. therein, access being hadto the- Referring to the general lay-out as disclosed drum through thecover 2|, the drum also having in Figs. 1 and 2, this illustrates asuitable frame a suitable cover, 'A main liquid supply pipe 52 worker atower s ru U h h has p s I! is connected to the shell, dischargingtherein at and cr ss framin m rs 3, th s ei p a d a high level, and theshell is provided with an in suita l p s ti s. the p of th t w rinclined. bottom 53 having a discharge pipe 54. there is a condenser boxl4, the details of which Adjacent th ba e of the shell and be1 w th aregiven hereunder. r Immediately below. t drum there is an air pipe 55'having a series of condenser there iS what may be termed 8. first orperforations, and at, the top 0f the casing there i run tank I5 tocontain the fluid ruri from the still is an air outlet pipe 51, the airsystem being as after condensing. Below the tank I5 there is a h r d rset forth,

main storage tank l6.which may be designated Th fluid trap d i n t dgenerally by th as the clear fluid tank. This tank has a large numeral22 is constructed substantially as 1301-,

apa ity h t w st tank may be d sislows: This comprises a casing havingflat side nated as atrap ta l1 a is of a comparatively walls 60, avertical end wall 6|, an inclined botslnall pacity and is d d to receiveand tom 62, a short vertical wall 63 and a cover wall store fluid whichis too. dirty after being distilled 64, The pipe 54 draining from thecleaning maor condensed to use in the cleaning machine. I chine leads toa valve 65 and through a pipe 66,

The l a machine s d s nat d n rally discharging intothe trap; therebeing a cage by e numeral l8 and is driven by p w r plant 61 thereinformed of screening material to trap H! whi h m y be of any suitablecharacter and any large articles which may be discharged. In s illust atd as of standard q p A flight the trap there is an inelined screen 68made of I of steps 20 are'utilized to give access to this f m t r-1 ,1of fine mesh and prefer- Cleaning machine, such machine having O ablyhaving a filtering layer 69 formedofcham- II to handle the articlesbeing cleansed- At th ois or other suitable filtering medium. This baseof the towe and w the level of the screening is insertable and removableafter recleaning machine to receive the run ofi therefrom iving large hndh l v r 10, Th fluid h e is a screening p This trap is 0011- afterbeing filtered is discharged through a pipe nected in the mannerhereunder set forth to a H and to drain the collected dirt there is adrain still vaporator 3, th latte! b g 0 a y pipe 12 having a valve 13therein. This may suitable character and having a furnace, chamber 24 atthe base and a hood 25 above the still to collect the heated air from,thestill and divert this from the tanks. On top of the tower I mount anair cooler and drain into suitable buckets or the like.

The reel designated generally by the numeral to a pipe 16 leading to oneof the tanks for the cleansing fluid. as hereunder mentioned, the reel-15 made of standard character, and is connected having a considerablelength of hose 11 coiled thereon, and this-having a suitable rotatablejoint so that in reeling the hose out or in, it

always forms a fluid connection with the tank, this being substantiallya standard unit.

The manner of operation of my cleaning apparatus and the pipingconnections is substantially as follows, having reference particularlyto the diagrammatic layout of Fig. l2and Figs. 1 and 2:

The main or clear fiuid-tankIS in the initial operation may be filledthrough a hand hole 80, or this may be filled by pumping the cleansingfluid therein. .This fluid is discharged through the base 8I from whichleads to a large discharge pipe 82 having a valve 83 therein. This leadsto piping 52, discharging into the cleaning machine.

After the cleaning operation the dirty liquid flows out through the pipe54 which, as above mentioned, is controlled by the valve 85 and throughthe pipe 88. The liquid flows into the separating trap 22 where it iscleansed by filtering, the efliuence flowing out by the pipes 1| andthrough a valve 89, then through a check valve 85 and a pipe 88 into thestill 23. The vapors from the still are collected in the dome 81 andflow upwardly through the vertical lead pipe 88 which connects to themain condensing coil 30 in the condenser box I4, the connection, asabove mentioned, being through'the header 3I. (Note Fig. 12).

The condensate in the ly through the pipe 3I and then downwardly througha pipe 88. This pipe has a trap 90 therein and a vertical lead 9|therefrom connecting into thefirst tank I8 which, as above mentioned,receives first the runfrom the still. All of the tanks are provided withliquid level gauges as indicated at 92 and if this liquid issufliciently clear to be utilized again, it is discharged through thepipe 93 connected to the base of the first tank I5 and leads through apipe 94 to the top of the main or clear fluid .tank I8, there'being acontrol valve 95, and in which case the fluid is used over again forcleaning,this completing one cycle. v

If the condensed fluid in the first tank I is too dirty to be utilizedfor cleaning, it is discharged through the pipe 88 having a controlvalve '91 leading from the tank I5, this pipe 98 connecting to the .traptank I1 adjacentthe base of the tower connected to the base thereof.This trap tank also has a connection by a pipe 91' having a valve 98therein with the discharge outlet 8|, of the main tank I8, this latterpipe also leading to the bottom of the trap, tank I1.

The liquid from the trap tank I1 is discharged fromthe outlet 99 througha pipe ,I00 controlled by a valve I01. leads into a junction I02 withthe pipe 88 leading to the trap separator '22. Therefore, if the liquid,as above mentioned, isv found to be too dirty in either of the tanks I5or I6, or both, it may be discharged intd the trap tank I1 and then atany ,suitable time passed again through the trap separator 22, andthence again through the still, repeating the operation until all of the'cleansingfiuid is sufliciently clear, to be utilized.

In the flow oi the liquid from the tanks it is necessary to take care ofthe air fiow in and out of such tanks, and any vapor of the cleansingfluid which may be developed in the tanks. Therefore, a, vapor pipe I05is connected to the top at I08 of the first tank I5 having the run ofthe still.. Thispipe leads upwardly and connects to coils 30 flowsoutward-' the pipe 35 of the second condensing coil 34 in the condensingbox I4. As above mentioned there is a trap 38 which is connectedby thejunction I08 with the pipe I05, and a second trap I01 is also connectedto the junction and has at its discharge end an up-leading pipe I08.This is connected by a T junction I09 to an air pipe IIO connecting tothe vapor vent pipe I I I, which latter pipe extends upwardly into thecowl 45. The

vapor vent pipe III has a connection II2 with a trap I I3 therein, and aconnection I I4 to the junction II5 of the discharge pipe 33 for thecondensate from the main or first condenser 30 and the condensatedischarge pipe 89.

The action of this vapor connection from the top of the first tank I5 issubstantially as followsz.

35 to the condensing coil 34, the condensate filling the trap 36, andwhen such trap is filled, the

condensate overflows and returns by the pipe I05 again to the tank I5.If the pressure of the vapor is sufliciently great it forces thesevapors through the trap I01 from the junction I08, and upwardly throughthe pipe I08, the junction I09, the pipe H0, and vapor vent pipe I I I;but as a certain amount of the vapors become condensed when inoperation, there is always a certain amount of condensed vapors in thetrap I01 forming, therefore, a seal, ordinarily preventing escapeof thevapor, unless the pressure is sufliciently excessive to forcethe vaporsout. It will thus be seen that the above connection takescare of thevapors developed in the top or first tank I5.

The main or clear fluid tank 18 has a vapor outlet I20 which leadsthrough a pipe I2I, and the junction I22 to the intake pipe 38 of thecondensing coils 31, these coils discharging into a trap 39 which isalso connected to the junction I22. There is a trap I23 connected tothejuncconnection with the first tank I 5. -When this tank is filledthrough the hand hole'in the initial operation, the hand, hole allowsescape of the air, but after the tank is in operation, with the handhole sealed, and it is desired to fill'it by pumping this vaporconnection pipe I 2I 'allowsescape of the The air blowing system forcleaning the clothes initially and for removing the residual cleansingfluid and drying is substantially asfollows:

An air blower is indicated by the numeral I25 and is mounted atasuitable place on the frame of the machine, this being preferablydriven by an electric motor. The air from this blower is dischargedthrough an electric air heater I28 which maybe controlled as desired,and the term perature of the discharged air read on a thermometer I21.This discharged air leads through a valve I28, the air pipe 58, andenters the perforated pipe 55 in the bottom of the cleaning machine. .Inthe first operation for cleansing, the air after passing through thecleaning machine ,is discharged by the pipe 51 controlled by the valveI29. This air laden with dust is blown downwardlythrough an airdischarge pipe I30 into the bubbling or water sealed receptacle I3Iwhich collects the dust in the water.

After'the cleaning operation, when it is desired to remove residualcleansing fiuid from the arcondensing box I4. The air circulates throughthis vapor trap, the vapors being condensed, and

the air discharging through the air the stack 44 to the cowl 45. r

The trap tank II has a vapor outlet I35 with a vapor pipe I36 connectedthereto leading upwardly by a pipe I31 and discharging into the upperpart of the air trap 40 as indicated at Ifit The condensate of thecondensed vapors is discharged through a pipe I39 having a trap I40.therein, this trap having a junction I4I with the pipe I31. Therefore,this vapor connection from the trap tank I'I functions substantially thesame as the vapor connections from the tanks I5 and I8, returning thecondensed vapors after filling the trap back to the tank I1; and alsothe vapors which are carried by the air blast in drying the fabrics arereturned to this tank II. 11:18 to be understood that the air ispreferably heated during the drying operation of the fabric.

The furnace is provided with a smoke pipe I which leads to a stack I46.There is also a connection I4I from a hood I48 which is placed over thestill 23. This connection leads to the stack I46 and discharges theheated air collecting in the hood.

A pressure relief system is provided by a pipe I 49 leading upwardlyfrom the pipe 88 which is connected to the condensing coil 30. This pipehas a safety valve I50 on the top thereof. The

pipe 88 has its-connection to the coil 30 by a pipe I5I. In addition,the vapor vent pipe III has a relief pressure valve I52 preferablylocated in the cowl 45. The valve I50 is designed to allow excesspressure to blow off the vapors of the iiquid being distilled in thestill 23, and the valve I52 is designed to allow outflow of vapors onexcess pressure in the different condensers and also to allow back flowof air.

' From the above description it will be seen that I have developed acomprehensive cleaning appa- .ratus especially designed for textilematerials, in

which the same cleansing fluid may be used over and over again incycles, this being first cleansed by passing through the separating trap22 and then by being distilled and condensed. The dirt and otherimpurities are' eliminated from the storage tanks and should it-happenthat the liquid on first distilling, that is, the first run from thestill, is not sufliciently clear, this may be passed to a trap tank andthen pass through the separating trap and back through the still asecond time. it will also be seen that .I- have developed acomprehensive system of collecting the vapors of the cleansing fluidafter evaporating these from the textiles, and that a make provision forblowing first the dust out of the textiles and collecting this andemploy heated air which thoroughly dries the articles beinghandled,after evaporating the cleansing fluid.

From the above description it will be seen thatI have developed acomprehensive cleaning apparatus and method inwhich the material orgarments the first blown clean of loose dust and the like; by the airblast under pressure, and after this, subjected to the cleaning actionof the cleansing fluid, this being followed by the air blast, preferablyheated, which dries and deodorizes the garments,

pipes 43 and therotary drum in the cleaning'machine. In addition to,this, the filter and separating trap 22 catch loose articles, such asbuttons, matches, coins, and the like, and a great deal of the sedimentis deposited therein, preventing the'accumulation of sediment inthe'still or evaporator,

Various changes may be made in the principles 'of my invention withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, as set forth inthe description,drawings and claims. 5

I claim: 1

1. A cleaning apparatus comprising" in combination a cleaning machine,means to blow heated'air therethrough, a water seal forming a dustcollector and a condenser for vapors, means to connect the machine tothe water seal or to the said condenser, and a tank to receive thecondensate of the condenser; J 2. A cleaning machine comprising incombination a supporting structure having a water tank at the top withcondensing coils therein, a tank for the run of the-still connected tothe coils and below the 'water tank, a clear fluid tank below the run ofthe still tank, a trap tank, means to connecteither the clear or thetrap tank to the run of the still tank, a cleaning machine, a gravityconnection from the clear fluid tank to'the machine, a separating trap,aconnection from the machine to the trap, a still, a connection from thetrap to the still, and a connection for vapors said coils to conveyvapor thereto, the condensate in such coils flowing back to the saidtanks.

5. A cleaning machine comprising in combination a'condensing tank havinga condensing coil therein, a tank for the run of the stillqconnecterl tosaid coil, a cleaning machine,,means to convey fluid from the tank tothe machine, a separating trap, means to convey used fluid fromthemachine to the trap, a still connected to the trap, a vaporconnection from the still to the condensing coils, means to blow-airthrough the cleaning machine, means to convey the blown air from ,themachine, avapor trap having a condenser to condense vaporsin the air, atrap tank, means to connect said tank to the run-of the still tank,

a connection from the trap'tank to the separating trap, and a vaporconnection from the trap tank to the vapor trap and its condenser.

6. In a cleaning apparatus, a cleaning machine, means at thebottom 'ofsaid machine to blow hot air therein, an outlet at the top for theexhaust air, a iwater seal and a vapor trap having a-' condenser, meansto divert the air to the water sealor to the condenser, wreceptacle forcondensed fluids connected to said condenser, a

separator trap, means to flow a cleaning fluid a gravity connection fromthe still to the said tank, a main storage tank, a gravity connectionfrom the upper to the main storage tank, a

a cleaning machine, a still, a gravity liquid con-- nection from themachineto the still, a first vapor condenser above the machine and thestill, a vapor connection from the still to said condenser, an uppertank, a liquid connection from the said condenser to the tank, a mainstorage tank, a gravity connection from the upper tank to the main tankand from the main tank to the machine, a second condenser, a connectionfrom the upper tank to the second condenser, a third condenser, aconnection from the main tank to the third condenser, the liquidcondensed in the said second and third condensers returning respectivelyto the upper and main tanks and a vapor connection from each of thecondensers to atmosphere.

9. A cleaning plant as claimed in claim 8, a

trap tank for dirty liquid, a gravity connection still, an air vaporcondensing trap positioned above the trap tank, a vapor connection fromthe trap tank to the air vapor trap, the condensed liquid flowingbackwardly to the trap tank, and a connection, to atmosphere from theair vapor trap.

10.'In a cleaning apparatus, a cleaning machine with means to flow acleaning fluid into and out'of said machine, an air blower connected toatmosphere, a heater, a connection from the heater to the bottom of thecleaning machine, a connection from the top of the cleaning machine toatmosphere and to a water seal receptacle and a valve to control theflow of air to the atmosphere or to the said water seal receptacle.

11. In a cleaning apparatus, a tank, a cleaning machine having means toflow a cleaning fluid from the tank to the machine, means to flow fluidfrom the machine, an air blower drawing air from atmosphere, an airheater, a connection from the heater to the bottom of the machine, anair vapor trap forming a condenser, a connection from the top of themachine to the said trap, a connection from the said trap to atmosphere,a trap tank to receive the con-- densed liquid from the trap, an airconnection from the top of the machine to a water seal receptacle, and avalve to control the flow of airto the air vapor trap or to the waterseal receptacle.

12. A cleaning apparatus comprising in combination a cleaning machine, astill, a gravity liquid connection from the machine to the still,

a condenser above the machine and the still, a vapor connection from thestill to the condenser,

an upper tank, a gravity liquid connection from the condenser to thetank, a gravity liquid connected from the tank to the machine, an airblower connected to atmosphere, an air heater, a connection from theheater to thebottom of the machine, an air vapor trap separate from thecondenser, an air connection from the top of the machine to the saidtrap, a connection from the trap to atmosphere, and means to returnvapor from thetrap to the still independent of said upper tank.

13. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 12, a water sealreceptacle, a connection from the top of the machine to the saidreceptacle, and a valve to control the flow of air to either the airvapor trap or to the said receptacle.

14. A cleaning plant comprising in combination a cleaning machine, atower, a still, a gravity connection for the flow of fluid from themachine to the still, a condenser positioned above the still in thetower, a vapor connection from the still to the condenser, an upper tankin the tower for the first run of the still positioned below thecondenser and above the still, a fluid connection from the condenser tothe said upper tank, a main storage tank in the tower below the uppertank, a gravity connection from the upper to the main tank, and agravity connection from the main tank to the machine, and a directconnection from the upper tank to the still.

15. A cleaning plant comprising, in combination, a vertical towerstructure, a cleaning machine adjacent said tower structure, aseparating trap and a still located at the base of the" tower structure,a gravity connection from the .machine to the trap and from the trap tothe still, a condenser positionedadjacent the top of the tower above thecleaning machine, the,

trap, and the still, a vapor connection from the condenser to the still,an upper tank located in the tower below the condenser, a gravity liquidconnection from the condenser to the tank, a gravity connection from thetank to the cleaning machine, a tank for dirty liquid located in thetower below the first mentioned tank, a grav-

